The Headingtonian 2014

HEADINGTONIAN2014

100 YEARS OLD!Celebrating ourCentenary year

PREP SCHOOL New Head, new building

ALUMNAE SURVEY The results revealed

PROFILESEngineer, shoemaker

Headingtonian cover PRINT.indd 2-3 19/03/2014 11:20

MAGAZINE EDITORS

Matthew ArmstrongTim EdgePhilippa Logan

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Tel: +44(0)1865 759192Email: [email protected]: www.headington.org/headingtoniansDevelopment Offi ceHeadington SchoolOxford, OX3 7TD, United Kingdom

facebook.com/HeadingtonSchool

twitter.com/HeadingtonSch

Cover: A Level drama students perform ‘Living Dolls’


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THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

4 Headmistress’s letter Chairman’s letter

5 Review of the year Headingtonians’ Day 2013 Headingtonians’ events Headington in the Far East

12 Interview with Jane Crouch, new Prep School Head

14 Review of the School year Facts round-up The new-look Prep School School events

18 School features Community Service International Baccalaureate Equestrian Club

20 Spanning a century: the Spalding sisters

22 Centenary news

23 Headingtonians’ Day 2014

24 Centenary events

26 Engineering is for girls

28 Seeking your views Alumnae survey results

30 In the shoes of Capability Brown

32 Development update Plans for alumnae relations Dance & fi tness centre Peggy Dunn Society

36 Family news

42 Obituaries

47 In touch

54 Leavers’ destinations

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CONTENTS

The Headingtonian 2014 PRINT.indd 3 19/03/2014 12:34

WELCOME | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

I AM DELIGHTED TO INTRODUCE this new-look issue of The Headingtonian to you.

As alumnae, you are very important to us. In the year ahead, we would like to reach out to you with news of how we can add signifi cant value to your lives and careers (as explained on page 32). I am keen that you stay closely connected to your old school for life, and that we provide a range of communications, events and benefi ts that foster goodwill as well as keep you closely connected.

Thank you to many of you who took the trouble to complete the recent online questionnaire. I am delighted to say that The Headingtonian magazine was high on the list of things you value and I look forward, through our Development Offi ce, to acting on many of your very helpful comments and suggestions.

Finally, as we approach 2014-15, our Centenary year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your families to attend any of the wide range of Centenary events, which are designed specifi cally for you. Whenever you choose to visit us, whether individually or as part of a group, I will ensure you receive the warmest of welcomes.

CAROLINE JORDANHeadmistress

DEAR HEADINGTONIANS...BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS, I hope we will be in the throes of a dry, sunny spring after the fl oods that have beset the end of 2013 and the start of 2014.

The excitement is mounting for the Centenary celebrations and I do hope we will see you at some of the special events being held during the course of next year. Before then, we have Headingtonians’ Day in June and we look forward to welcoming the reunions for 2014.

We are pleased to have Tim Edge, the Director of Development, at Headington, and the committee have enjoyed hearing his vision for alumnae relations and the part that the Headingtonians can play. We are lucky to have a wonderful committee (there is room for others who may wish to join us!) and I would like to thank them for their continued support. Sadly, Rosemary Fraser has moved over the road to work in the Prep School. Of course we are delighted for her but I cannot overestimate what she has done for the Headingtonians and the hole she has left. We will miss her hugely but in the true Headington way we go onto the next phase – life after Rosemary.

We are ready to celebrate – this is a call to arms. Come on, Headingtonians, let us celebrate one hundred years of a very fi ne school.

With very best wishes,

JANE WOODCOCKChairman of the Headingtonians

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THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | REVIEW OF THE YEAR

HEADINGTONIANS’ DAY 2013

Almost 200 Headingtonians came

back to school on Saturday 8th June

for Headingtonians’ Day 2013. The day

was dedicated to former Headmistress

Peggy Dunn, who died in November

2012. More permanently, the Diamond

Jubilee Building was also dedicated

to Miss Dunn: Helen Batchelor (Miles,

1978), Chair of Governors, unveiled the

dedication plaque. Helen Batchelor (Miles, 1978) unveils the plaque, watched by Caroline Jordan

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

40th anniversary reunion: 1973 leaversDorothy Hardcastle (Honorary Headingtonian)


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REVIEW OF THE YEAR | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

Katie Franklin (left) greets Fiona Tasker (both 1993)

20th anniversary reunion: 1993 leavers

Catching up with Anna Hutchison (former Maths staff; right)

Georgie Gallacher (2011) wishing Pat Smaldon farewell


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Emma Whitely being presented with a leaving gift by Claire Boon (2003) Reminiscing

Greeting old friends



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REVIEW OF THE YEAR | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014


30th anniversary reunion: 1983 leaversCherry Mosteshar-Gharai (1975), Peggy Howarth (staff, 1955-91) and Jane Woodcock (1975; Chairman of the Headingtonians)

Viewing the Peggy Dunn exhibition

Desserts!



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GOLF DAYThere’s an annual golf day for parents

and Headingtonians, normally held

at The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and

Spa at Milton, conveniently placed

between Oxford and London. If you

are interested in playing at the event

this autumn, or in forming a group of

Headingtonian golfers, please contact

the Development Offi ce.

DENNIS SEVERS’ HOUSE AND HIGHGROVE GARDENS Trips for Headingtonians in 2013

included a visit to Dennis Severs’

house in Spitalfi elds, and to

Highgrove, with a tour of the

gardens created by HRH The

Prince of Wales.

The Oxfordshire Golf Club Dennis Severs’ House

Lord Mawson with Liz Hodges (2003)

Highgrove

JANET YOUNG MEMORIAL LECTURE 2013 ‘Let 1000 Flowers Bloom’ was the title of the 2013 Janet Young Memorial

Lecture, presented by Lord Mawson, an advocate of social entrepreneurship.

The lecture was attended by 86 members of the Headington community, and

was very well received.


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VISIT TO DRAPERS’ HALL | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

VISIT TO DRAPERS’ HALL

In February 2014, some 21 old girls, former staff and guests had the privilege of visiting one of the historic 12 livery companies: The Worshipful Company of Drapers. The roots of the Drapers’ Company go back to the 13th century when the Company was involved in the buying and selling of woollen cloth within the City of London.

The archivist, Penny Fussell, gave us a rich and entertaining tour of the building, commenting on its contents and the archives: works of art, silver and artefacts, its document collection, and members who had endowed the Company through their trusts, donations and colourful history.

From its earliest days, the Drapers’ Company has cared for the people who worked in the trade, while supporting the needs of the poor of the local parish. These strong senses of fraternity and philanthropy have been an enduring feature of the Company.

At fi rst, members of the Guild met in individuals’ houses, but in the 1420s the Drapers’ Guild built its own hall, in St Swithin’s Lane on the banks of the Thames. The present Drapers’ Hall was acquired from Henry VIII in 1543. It had been the house of Thomas Cromwell, but had been forfeited to the King on Cromwell’s execution in July 1540.

Despite the building being destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666, again in 1772 and being rebuilt twice in the 19th century, the interior is still considered to be the fi nest Victorian livery hall.

Drapers’ Hall has been used for fi lm locations, including The King’s Speech, while Hilary Mantel used archived references in her fi ctionalised biography, Wolf Hall, documenting the rapid rise to power of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII.

In the 21st century, its philanthropic endeavours range from supporting education and presenting opportunities for disadvantaged or marginalised people through the award of grants, to providing almshouse accommodation for older needy people.

A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all, with participants being able to catch up, remember and mull over their times at the School.

We would like to thank the Drapers’ for enabling this tour to take place – it was a highly educative and successful visit.

HILARY MELTON-BUTCHER (1966)Headingtonians, former staff and guests in the courtyard

Drapers’ Hall


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THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | HEADINGTON IN THE FAR EAST

HEADINGTON INTHE FAR EAST

In September, Headmistress Caroline Jordan, accompanied by senior staff , visited Hong Kong, Shanghai and Thailand. First Deputy Head Jennette Jeff eries and Second Deputy Head Carole Knight travelled to Hong Kong with Mrs Jordan, as did Director of Development Tim Edge. Mrs Jordan hosted three events for Headingtonians, current and former parents: an informal dinner in Shanghai, a cocktail party in Hong Kong and an informal drinks reception in Bangkok.

A surprise and rather unwelcome guest in the Far East was Typhoon Usagi, which played havoc with the meticulously-planned schedule. Flights between Shanghai and Hong Kong were cancelled, and a dinner party in Hong Kong had to be called off . Mrs Jordan had to travel from Shanghai to Hong Kong via Guangzhou, the last leg of the journey being by train. However, the typhoon did not prevent the cocktail reception in Hong Kong from going ahead. This was the largest of the events, attended by more than 100 guests; by all accounts, an excellent evening with a real ‘buzz’ around the room.

At the Hong Kong reception Carole Knight with (from left) Cheryl Wong, Amanda Wong and Caryl Poon (all 2004)

Caroline Jordan and Carole Knight with Headingtonians in Hong Kong

Betty Chan (1984) with Caroline Jordan in Bangkok


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INTERVIEW | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

INTERVIEW WITH

JANE CROUCHWe are all greatly looking forward to the arrival of the new Prep School Head, Mrs Jane Crouch, who will join Headington in April. Before Mrs Crouch arrived, we put a few questions to her, to fi nd out a little about her, and about her thoughts on coming to Headington Prep School.


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THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | INTERVIEW

• First of all, can you tell us a little about yourself and your immediate family?

I am 49 years old and married to Cley – we’re about to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.

• Why did you go into teaching? Has it always been your career?

I have always loved learning and this encouraged me to undertake a teaching certifi cate alongside my degree (French and Geography joint honours). Spending a year in France as an assistante cemented teaching in my mind as a career and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It is such a rewarding vocation – pupils bring such energy and enjoyment into each day.

• We know you have been Head of a mixed prep school in Saff ron Walden. How do you feel about coming to an all-girls’ school?

I have worked in a range of schools: single-sex and mixed, boarding and day. I have very fond memories of my time at Ashford School, Kent, which is an all-girls’ school, and am looking forward, once again, to working with girls. Undoubtedly, they do benefi t from a settled, focused and sympathetic environment in which they can excel in all subjects, including Maths, Engineering, Technology and Science, subjects where boys can dominate.

• What are the greatest challenges do you think a Prep School Head faces today?

There are many challenges: for example, regulatory requirements and the ever-

increasing health and safety measures that can, in a smaller school, take the time and attention of the senior leadership team away from the core focus of learning and teaching. Fortunately at Headington, we benefi t from the expertise of those who are specialists in health and safety and other regulatory areas.

• Will your experience as an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate have any impact on your role as Head?

Indeed it will. As an inspector, one keeps continually abreast of what constitutes excellence in a school and I will be aiming to achieve this standard in all areas at Headington.

• Do you have any particular hobbies and interests?

I believe it is really important to have interests outside of my role as Head. I appreciate the arts and love visiting the theatre, galleries and exhibitions: I am a Friend of the Royal Academy. I also enjoy the outdoors and wildlife – there’s nothing quite like a long walk, especially at the coast, observing birds. Being a life member of the RSPB ensures that I’m kept up to date with all that is happening on the conservation front. Keeping fi t is also essential and I aim to attend classes three times a week. To really relax, there’s nothing quite like reading a Scandinavian crime novel, for example Henning Mankell or Håkan Nesser.

• How do think schools can manage the balance between introducing young children to the advantages of the internet, and also warning about its dangers?

We have a duty to safeguard our young people from the dangers of the internet. As our girls grow up they will become increasingly aware and involved with the internet, especially social networking and making connections with people in far-off lands. In school, we will use the internet to benefi t their learning – there are so many excellent sites and apps such as Mathletics and Flowpaper.

• What is the best thing that you have introduced at your school at Saff ron Walden? And might it work here?

Academic standards should be taken as read in a school such as Headington. However, education is about much more than this. Who we are as people, our character and our values are really important. At Dame Bradbury’s I introduced values that were easy for the pupils and parents to understand. These were: be yourself, aim high and be kind. At the end of each term we would award a badge to a pupil in the Pre-Prep and Prep schools based on them adhering to these values. I will be working with the school chaplain and the staff to build on our core values at Headington.

• What are you most looking forward to, when you come to Headington Prep?

I am very much looking forward to getting to know the girls, the staff and the parents. Whenever I talk to colleagues, friends and family about Headington, everybody knows and speaks of its excellent reputation. I am really excited by the prospect of becoming a member of the Headington community.


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REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL YEAR | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

1045pupils in 2013-14178 boarders

1st!Top girls’ rowingschool in the UK

40girls taking Fencing, one of the fastest-growing clubs in the school.

105Wi-Fi access points in school1 Gigabit connection speed to the internet (100 times faster than the average home)

Over

50after-school clubs

Trips toITALYISLE OF WIGHTALPSETHIOPIARUSSIAMADAGASCARFRANCEUSA

27visiting music teachers

240girls have instrumental/singing lessons

99.6%Percentage of passes (A*-C)at GCSE

REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL YEAR


I love the apple trees and the green grass and the nice river on the dining-room fl oor! Iona Willcox, KindergartenIona Willcox, Kindergarten

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

THE NEW-LOOK PREP SCHOOLThe Prep School has undergone a complete renovation and restoration, with a new gym, new dining room and kitchens, a new assembly hall which doubles up as a theatre, expanded music rooms, a quiet room in the refurbished library, and above all a stunning new entrance hall with a glass atrium.

Former Head Girl, and Paralympic gold medallist, Lily van den Broecke (2010) opened the new building on 6th September 2013, watched by the Prep School’s 240 pupils.

The Prep School girls are very proud of their new facilities. According to several Lower 3s, the seats in the theatre are comfy; the food is much better, with a wider variety than before; and the seats in the atrium are lovely and relaxing.

Headingtonians will have the chance to look round the new Prep School at a cocktail reception on 19th February 2015, as part of the School’s

Centenary celebrations.

The main entrance to the Prep School is now through the atrium

Lily van den Broecke cutting the ribbon with Caroline Jordan

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The best thing is the art room. There’s lots of inspiration on the walls, and it’s very light and airy. Anna Mattocks, Lower 3Anna Mattocks, Lower 3


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REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL YEAR | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

ROWING SUCCESS

2013 was a good year for Headington rowers. Our Junior Women’s Quad reached the fi nal of the Henley Royal Regatta, and the Boat Club came away from the National Schools’ Regatta as the top overall girls’ rowing school in the country.

In October, on the Club’s fi rst trip to the USA, Headington rowers picked up two gold medals at the Head of the Schuylkill in Philadelphia. They were the fastest non-American boat in each of their races at the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston, as well as the only club to have two eights in the top 20 at the Head of the Charles.

HOCKEY GOLD

Upper 6th student Harriette Wilcock picked up a gold medal in the hockey Futures Cup in Cannock. Harriette, playing as a forward in the Mercia Lynx U18 girls’ team, spent fi ve days at the tournament. It was her second time at the Futures Cup, as she also reached the contest as an Under 16.

SUFFRAGETTE HISTORY DAY

Emmeline Pankhurst’s nightie was one of the artefacts on display at a History enrichment day for Upper 4s, covering women’s struggle for the vote. Professor June Purvis, from the University of Portsmouth, came to discuss the Pankhursts and the suff rage movement, and the History staff dressed up to complete the sense of occasion.

RHETORIC CUPHeadingtonian Sylvia Williamson (Meiggs, 1961) came back to school last November to hear speeches by the seven Lower 5 students competing for the 2013 Rhetoric Cup. Sylvia’s family donated the Rhetoric Cup trophy to the school in 1961. The winner was Yasmina O’Sullivan, for her speech on women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.

CHOIR SINGS AT WINDSOR

Highlights this year for the Music Department include the Chamber Choir singing Evensong at

St George’s Chapel, Windsor, a performance of the Fauré Requiem, and the sell-out performance at the new Cabaret Jazz evening, designed to show off the Big Band and the new Soul Train gospel/funk vocal group. The ‘Music at the Movies’ Prom concert at the end of March will see the Hall turned into a cinema, complete with popcorn and usherettes, and music from Dambusters to Wizard of Oz, and Disney classics, with a rousing Sound of Music fi nale.

RED RIDING HOOD WINS THE DAY

Aladdin, with a genie played by an iPad, and Snow White, with a Queen who seeks reassurance from Siri rather than the mirror, were two of the 10-minute performances in the House Panto competition at the end of the Autumn term. Ford won with their dazzlingly creative version of Red Riding Hood.


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THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

DAVIDCOPPERFIELDThe Dickens classic David Copperfi eld was last year’s whole school play, with four performances in December. Original songs were composed specially for the production, and sung unaccompanied by the large cast to complement the dramatic storytelling.

ROSETTESFROM GAWCOTT

Headington School won the Team of Teams equestrian competition at the National Schools’ Teams Cross Country Competition at Gawcott last June, as they had the highest overall score from Junior, Open and Alumni from the same school. Lower 4Freya Chichester came tenth riding in the Junior Class, Upper 5 Darci Hill came fi rst individually in the Open Class, and alumna Alice Edmondson (2009) fi nished in fi fth place. The team came home with fi verosettes and three sashes.

‘WISH TREE’FOR THE PHILIPPINES

In December, girls wrote messages of support on colourful ribbons and tied them to a tree in school to support victims of the recent typhoon in the

Philippines. They gave £1 to the Philippines Disaster Appeal for each ribbon, and each year group had a diff erent coloured ribbon. The tree was named the ‘Wish Tree’ for the occasion.

SLEEPOUT ANDCAKES FOR CHARITY

Charity events cropped up regularly throughout the year, including the annual Sixth Form sleepout at the end of November in aid of Shelter UK. Other fundraisers included a charity quiz evening in February in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust,

organised by Oxen House, and a Valentine’s Day cake sale in aid of Link Ethiopia.

WINDSURFERCHOSEN FORSW SQUAD

Upper 4 pupil Isabel Lawrence performed so well in the Royal Yachting Association’s Zone and Home Country Championships at Weymouth in September, that she was one of 13 youngsters selected for the prestigious South West Zone Squad. This is a squad for young windsurfers who show the most potential for getting into the Great Britain Squad when they are older.


SCHOOL FEATURES | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

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COMMUNITY SERVICEThe community service activities organised in School are aimed at allowing pupils to get involved in supporting their local community.

A signifi cant number of Headington pupils are already actively involved with voluntary work outside School, and our volunteering work aims to increase the opportunities for pupils to get involved with community projects, and learn from the challenges and enjoyable experiences.

The community service events have become a regular feature of the Headington calendar over the last few years, and new projects are added each year. Community

service is optional for Sixth Formers, but more of them are involved each year. For the younger girls, community service takes place as a whole year group: the Upper Thirds sang carols at local rest homes and the Upper Fourths spent an afternoon litter-picking around Headington as part of the OxClean project in early March.

The Sixth Form have been involved in many projects within the local community. Many volunteer on a weekly basis, playing the piano at the Churchill Hospital and helping with reading and numeracy skills at local primary schools. Pupils have continued their work with the local children’s hospice Helen and Douglas House through the

speakers’ training network. Our Sixth Form boarders are working with the Isis Care Centre and Boundary Brook Nature Park. Others have continued their work with international communities in Ethiopia and Madagascar in addition to the IB students’ work with Zanzibar and Botswana.

All the pupils involved this year have demonstrated a fantastic sense of enthusiasm and teamwork and have been brilliant ambassadors for the School. We should be very proud of them and their hard work.

ANNEKA STREULE Physics Teacher; Community Liaison Offi cer

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

THE TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVEHeadington introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme as an alternative to A Levels in 2009, and we now have a growing band of IB alumnae, the fi rst group of whom will be leaving university this year.

The IB is well recognised by leading universities worldwide. Diploma Programme students take six subjects across different areas. All students study English (or their mother tongue), maths, a second language, a science and a humanity plus a further option. They also follow a Theory of Knowledge course, write an extended essay and undertake Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) activities, which includes a

commitment to community service.The programme is graded out of 45 points and our average to date of 38.7 points places us as one of the UK’s leading IB schools. Numbers of IB students are growing at Headington; 25 of the 135 Lower Sixth currently take the IB. Importantly, introducing the IB has also benefi ted A Level students. Opportunities for community service through the school have increased, the Extended Project Qualifi cation has been introduced as an essay option for A Level students, and IB teachers bring to their subjects the benefi ts of teaching a variety of courses.

For me personally, coordinating the IB has been an immense pleasure. We are fortunate that at Headington our girls have initiative, determination and a great sense of fun. Working with them, be they IB, A Level, GCSE or younger pupils, provides teachers with an energy and satisfaction that, in my opinion, is hard to match.

JAMES STEPHENSONIB Coordinator

IB pupils with local staff in a school in Zanzibar


EQUESTRIAN CLUBThe Equestrian Club at Headington School was started 13 years ago by Gail Ambrose, when her daughter Charlotte started at the School. Gail continued to be team manager for much of that time until 2013. In 2009, the School joined the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA), which aims to promote and encourage equestrian

sport in UK schools.

When the club began, there were only three girls riding; this year, it has 26 girls, aged from 9 to 18. Some girls specialise in dressage, but most do a bit of everything: dressage, show jumping and cross country. Most members have their own horse,

though that’s not essential.

The club competes regularly. Among the events last year were the National Schools’ Teams Cross Country Competition, Cheltenham Ladies’ Show Jumping, and the NSEA Championships. This year, there are 14 events within a two-hour drive from School to which the club aims to send teams.

Every April, the School hosts a showjumping competition at Addington Manor, in Buckinghamshire, and I’d encourage anyone who is interested to come along. The School provides cakes and coff ee, and there’s a café on site – it’s a great day out. Spectators are always welcome at Addington, and to any other events

which are listed on the School’s website.

LISA HILL,Equestrian Team Manager

THE PUPIL’S PERSPECTIVEAlthough juggling six subjects during the two years of the IB was, at times, undeniably challenging, I look back on the course with a great sense of achievement.

Beyond the six rigorous subjects, Theory of Knowledge showed me a new way of thinking based on always questioning what one knows. Pursuing subjects like Maths, which many might choose to drop, can be a great benefi t in applying for internships and showing yourself to be both numerically and linguistically skilled. The two years of studies stretched my capabilities and helped me to realise that I could achieve more than I thought possible.

RUTH EVE (2011) (one of the fi rst group of IB students at Headington, now at St Anne’s, Oxford)

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | SCHOOL FEATURES

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HEADINGTON SCHOOL SHOW JUMPING COMPETITION

Addington Manor, 16th April 2014All-day event from 8.45am to 6pm.No tickets needed; turn up any time.Plenty of parking space.


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THE SPALDING SISTERS | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

SPANNING A CENTURY THE SPALDING SISTERS

Until her death in April 2013 at the age of 101, Anne Spalding was probably our oldest alumna. She and her younger sister Ruth, who died in 2009, both started at Headington School in 1925, when their family moved to Oxford from Lyme Regis. Anne’s obituary on page 44 gives a fascinating picture of a very full life, much of it dedicated to painting and drawing.

Anne and Ruth revisited their old school in 2003. They were particularly keen to see the art rooms and the theatre – and were enormously impressed by the art department. When they were at school, they were only encouraged to ‘paint fi shes with bubbles’, which they felt was not very inspiring. How times have changed. In the Spaldings’ time at Headington, all the staff had nicknames (Pogs and Sawdust, for example), and school skirts were measured to check that they were at least

three inches below the knee. A girl was posted outside the classroom each morning to alert the class when the teacher was approaching, so that they could stand up, ready to say ‘Good morning’.

The Headmistress at the time was Miss Porcher. When she caught a girl yawning, she would say: “There are only three reasons why you yawn: you went to bed very late; you are bored or you need some fresh air. Which is it?” Of course, because you could never admit to a late night or boredom, it was always the third reason, and the window was

duly opened, whatever the weather.

Anne also told the story of when she and her best friend removed the bust of Miss Porcher from the Lea Library and replaced it with a human skull. They didn’t realise that Miss Porcher was showing some bishops round the School, but fortunately for them, she did not notice the swap.

Anne left Headington in 1929 to study at the Ruskin School of Art, and a lifetime of painting. Ruth was at the School until 1932: a busy fi nal year for her, as she was Head Girl, and produced the school play Romeo and Juliet. She recalled that she spent so much time on the play that her teachers were concerned she would not do well enough in her exams to take up her place at Somerville College, Oxford. Her teachers need not have worried, for Ruth went on to read PPE at Somerville, and then to a varied

career, which still included producing plays.

Above: Anne, Ruth and their brother John at their home in Shotover, 1927. Far right: Anne and John

Brookside (now the Prep School) in 1917. Until 1930 this was the main teaching site of the school.

One of Anne’s paintings


THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | THE SPALDING SISTERS

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CENTENARY NEWS | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

CENTENARY NEWS

YOUR CENTURY Memories and photographs such as those of the Spaldings on the previous pages have been used to compile a written and pictorial history of the School, which is celebrated in the centenary book Our Century. We greatly value all such memories and photographs of the School, from every period throughout the 100 years, so do please keep them coming. Photographs can be scanned and returned; memories can be collected and continue to build up a picture of our School as it has changed over the years. Please do get in touch with the Development Offi ce if you have any memories or photographs that you would like to share or donate. We can add them to the photo gallery on our website, or (for donated items) catalogue them and put them into the Archives.

IN PRINT

Our Century is the story of Headington

School through its fi rst 100 years. It’s

packed with amusing, entertaining and

enlightening anecdotes, from the very fi rst

pupils to the present day, and fascinating,

fantastic photographs.

The book is far more than a history of the

school: it’s a social history, a history of

changing times and attitudes, with some

local history thrown in as well. If you want

to know about eccentric teachers, absurd

table manners, how the war and the

swinging sixties affected the School, and

why Headington might possibly be the

inspiration for St Trinian’s, you’ll fi nd it here.

So, if you enjoyed being at Headington

School – and even if you didn’t – we hope

ONLINE

We have set up a special

microsite on the School website,

dedicated to the School’s

Centenary, which you can fi nd

at: www.headington100.org

Here you’ll fi nd a list of Centenary

events, ways in which you can

get involved, a brief history of

the School, and a photo gallery

of the School, decade by decade.

We will expand the photo gallery

as we receive more contributions,

so please do scan and send in

any old photographs that you

would like to share.

There will be many opportunities

for you to get involved, whether

by offering your time, sharing

your memories, donating prizes,

or sponsoring events – or simply

coming along to the events.

Regular updates will be posted, so

do look at the Updates section.

All ticket sales for events

will be through the website.

If you do not have internet

access, then please get in

touch with the Centenary Offi ce

(01865 759102)

for information.

you’ll enjoy the book.

It’s available to reserve now, online,

from the Centenary website,

www.headington100.org/content/our-century.


THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | HEADINGTONIANS’ DAY 2014

HEADINGTONIANS’ DAY 2014SATURDAY 14TH JUNE

TIMETABLE

12 noon Drinks in the east quad (weather permitting)

1pm Lunch in the dining hall, including presentations to leaving staff

3pm School open to visitors

3.45pm Headingtonians’ AGM in the Music School

4pm Tea in the dining hall

5pm Close

1954 LEAVERS 60th anniversary ‘Decade champion’ Heather Quitmann (Scott)

1964 LEAVERS50th anniversary‘Decade champions’Carol Paton (Scott) and Katharine Hurford (Storry)

1974 LEAVERS40th anniversary‘Decade champions’ Tricia Armitage (Barnett) andSusan Rayward (Brooke)

REUNIONSWe will be delighted to welcome Headingtonians from any year. In addition, there will be special reunions for ‘decade’ leavers:

1984 LEAVERS30th anniversary‘Decade champion’ Winnie Kwan (Ng)

1994 LEAVERS20th anniversary‘Decade champion’ Helen Hillard (Bamford)

2004 LEAVERS 10th anniversary‘Decade champion’ Sal Akomolafe

Headingtonians’ Day is an annual, informal get-together designed to keep Headingtonians in touch with each other and with the school. This year’s event will be on Saturday 14th June, from 12 noon onwards. All former pupils are welcome to attend. There is no charge for the buff et lunch, splendid though it is! Other family members are welcome to join you for tea.

23


24

CENTENARY DIARY | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

CENTENARY EVENTS 2014-15Headingtonians are warmly invited to all the events listed.

How to bookIf you are interested in attending any of these events, please book through the Centenary website, www.headington100.org. For more information, phone +44 (0)1865 759102 or email [email protected]

Find us on FacebookVisit the School Facebook page to keep up to date with events and news.

Email addressesDo let us know your email address if we don’t have it already so we can let you know of upcoming events.

OCTOBER

Janet Young Memorial LectureThe Hon Mrs Anson Chan will deliver this year’s lecture in memory of Baroness Young, in the School theatre.

13TH NOVEMBER

Centenary Book launchOur Century, a book charting the history of the School, written by Headingtonian daughter and parent Philippa Logan, will be launched by Headingtonian Julia Somerville at this evening event.

4TH DECEMBER

Christmas concert in the SheldonianA selection of music and words will be performed by the girls in the Sheldonian. Ticketed event.

9TH DECEMBER

Carol Service in Christ Church CathedralA special Carol Service with candlelight, readings and music. Tickets will be issued on a fi rst-come, fi rst served basis.

201417TH SEPTEMBER

Whole School ServiceService for the whole school, staff , parents and Headingtonians in the grounds of the Senior School.

20TH SEPTEMBER

Centenary BallChampagne reception in the School hall, followed by a four-course dinner, music and dancing in a marquee in the grounds. Tickets £100; only 500 available.

27TH SEPTEMBER

Hong Kong DinnerGala reception and dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Conrad Hong Kong. Guest of honour and speaker will be The Hon Mrs Anson Chan, the last serving Chief Secretary of Hong Kong. Tickets £100 (or local equivalent)

ning event.nt


25

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | CENTENARY DIARY

201519TH FEBRUARY

Cocktail Reception at the Prep SchoolThe Prep School, known to many as Napier House, will host this cocktail reception, which will also be a chance for you to look round the new buildings.

2ND-5TH MARCH

Arts Festival2nd and 4th March Entertainment in the SheldonianAn evening of drama, music and dance, performed by Senior and Prep School girls in the Sheldonian. Ticketed event.

3rd March British music in the SheldonianThe school’s choirs and orchestras will perform the very best of British music, with songs for all to sing and, together, raise the roof of the Sheldonian. Ticketed event.

5th MarchArt exhibition at the AshmoleanA private view of an exhibition of work by Headington art students, past and present, in Gallery Two of the Ashmolean Museum. You will be able to look round the whole museum, while enjoying live music, champagne and canapés.

APRIL

Equestrian eventHeld at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire, and run by Headington School

23RD JUNE

Whole school walk in Oxford ParksCollective walk for the whole school, staff , parents and Headingtonians - and an opportunity to raise money for one of eight charities nominated by the girls.

JUNE

Centenary playLower and Middle School girls will perform a play written by young people’s playwright, Robert Rigby, exploring the changing role of women during the School’s 100 years.

4TH JULY

Centenary Foundation DayThe culmination of the year’s Centenary celebrations, with the traditional whole school service, fun throughout the afternoon, and a fi esta of music and lights on the School lawn in the evening.

27TH APRIL

Evensong at St Paul’sThe Chamber Choir will sing Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Dinner at Inner TempleFollowing Evensong at St Paul’s, Headington School will host a dinner in the Georgian-style banqueting hall of Inner Temple, London. Tickets: £95.

13TH JUNE

Headingtonians’ DayA very special Headingtonians’ Day for our 100th birthday.


26

PROFILE: ENGINEER | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

Recently graduated Headingtonian Helen Lake (2009) is fi ercely enthusiastic about engineering, and explains how it is a rewarding career for women.

Engineering might not seem like the obvious choice when you’ve spent your entire childhood in a girls’ school, but then not many people know what engineers really do. In fact I had no idea there was a subject at university called Engineering until my AS levels. It was completely by accident when looking through a prospectus that I opened it on a page about Mechanical Engineering. On that page was the simple question: ‘Do you ever wonder why things work the way they do?’ It is that single question that completely changed my plans for the future.

After a bit of further digging I found out engineers are not the same as mechanics; they don’t fi x your car or your boiler. Instead they design wind farms and hip replacements, helicopters and cars, they design the processes that put shampoo

into bottles and the robots in factories, they work with Nike and Adidas to make ever-advancing sports kit technology or design complex staging equipment for shows in the West End. And all that you needed to study mechanical engineering is an A Level in Maths and an interest in the world around you.

All this sounded very interesting so I decided to sort out work experience at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories for a week in the summer holidays to check I was making the right decision. I really enjoyed it and after some more research I decided to apply to study mechanical engineering at university. I remember being very nervous at the interviews as there had been very little experience at Headington of what questions you might be asked because so few girls chose this as a degree option. However, as you can’t take an A Level in Engineering, everyone was in the same boat. Instead, the universities wanted to know how you thought you might use the maths you did in school, or the principles of physics you might know, and apply them to real-life situations.

ENGINEERING IS FOR GIRLS

On that page was the simple question: ‘Do you ever wonder why things work the way they do?’ It is that single question that completely changed my plans for the future.

Helen next to a Trent 1000 engine, which powers the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft


27

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | PROFILE: ENGINEER

I ended up going to Cardiff University to take an MEng in Mechanical Engineering: it is very common to see universities offering four-year Master’s degrees for undergraduates as you are required to reach this level in order to become chartered. Since graduating I have started work at Rolls-Royce. Like many other companies in the industry, Rolls-Royce’s graduate scheme allows you to move around the company every six months to see different departments and even have a placement abroad.

Deciding to study mechanical engineering at university opened up a world that I had no idea existed. It has given me a career for life and a real purpose in what I do; I really could not recommend it enough. Because this choice had such a large impact on me I have since started volunteering with groups that promote engineering as a career choice.

Not only is the work you get to do in the engineering sector rewarding, but it also has a number of other advantages to signing up. The UK is in a worrying position where we do not produce enough engineers to meet the demand by the industry. The

Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) predicts that we will need to double the number of students studying engineering each year in order to meet this demand. All my friends who wanted a job on graduating have managed to get one. As well as there being plenty of work around, mechanical engineering is consistently in the top ten for average graduate pay post-degree. Mechanical engineers can expect to earn on average £25,700 in their fi rst job, though for the top graduate schemes you can expect around £30,000 from the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, Shell, Rolls-Royce and E.ON. With a MEng degree you are likely to work towards Chartership which should take between four and six years of industry experience to complete. A recent IMechE survey found that on average its chartered engineers were earning £63,000, so there is plenty of room to progress in this career.

However as part of the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week campaign, they found only 35% of girls would consider a career in engineering, and 24% of the parents polled said that they didn’t think engineering was a suitable profession for their daughters. These views are often based on misconceptions about what the engineering profession entails and the only way we can turn these views around is by the industry showing the public what it has to offer. I hope that this article will make you explore engineering, whether you are a pupil at Headington, a parent, sibling or a Headingtonian considering a change in career. The opportunities really are endless. HELEN LAKE (1995-2009)

Deciding to study mechanical engineering at university opened up a world that I had no idea existed. It has given me a career for life and a real purpose in what I do.


ALUMNAE SURVEY | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

We believe strongly that our alumnae relations activity should be guided largely by the aspirations of our alumnae.

In February 2014, we launched an online survey to discover exactly how alumnae want to engage with one another and the School, and the range of services we should provide.

From 2,920 emails sent, we received a tremendous 462 responses. Here are the headline results.

SEEKING YOUR VIEWS

LAST PERSONAL VISIT TO SCHOOL 71% have returned to School within the last 10 years, including 20% in the last year.

PRIORITIES 78% consider that the priority of alumnae relations should be to enable alumnae to maintain contact with the School and each other.

MAGAZINE TOPICS News from other Headingtonians was of most interest, followed by School news, Family news and Obituaries.

HE

AD

ING

TON

IAN

S’ N

EW

S

SCH

OO

L N

EW

S

FAM

ILY

NE

WS

OB

ITU

AR

IES

OTH

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S55%value email news updates about the School

71%RETURNVISITS

20%THIS YEAR

78% 46% 22%...to maintain

contact...to run social

events...to provide

careers support

85%

60%

47%

39%

33%

28


THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | ALUMNAE SURVEY

What are we going to do with this information?

This feedback will help us shape what

we do, and how we communicate

and interact with you. We have

already used some of the results

to help us compile this edition of

The Headingtonian.

INTERACTIVE DATABASE

78%of you want us to help you to

maintain contact with the School and

each other. We will be setting up an

interactive database over the next

year, which will make it easier for you

to keep in touch.

PROFESSIONAL MENTORING SCHEME

52%of Headingtonians would like us

to help organise a professional

mentoring scheme. We are planning

to launch alumnae mentoring later

in the year.

As the last question of the survey,

we asked our alumnae to summarise

what the School means to them. Have

a look at the back cover for some of

these refl ections.

NEW PROGRAMMES

95%attend alumnae events because it is an opportunity to meet their year group

...think we should provide an interactive alumnae database

60%

...think we should organise more year-group reunions

53%

...think we should provide a professional mentoring scheme

52%

See the Development Update on page 32 to fi nd out more about our plans. For the full survey results, visit www.headington.org/content/headingtonians-survey

29


IN THE SHOES OF CAPABILITY BROWN

PROFILE: SHOEMAKER | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

30

Maud van den Broecke (2008), Headingtonian and shoemaker, and now ‘creative resident’ at the National Trust property, Croome Court, explains how she got there – and about the 18th-century footwear she will be making.

Maud’s graduate collection ‘Flotsam and Jetsam’.To see more of her work, visit www.mvdbroecke.com and

www.theparachutecollective.co.uk.


As a shoemaker and designer, I have a love of making things. The process of turning a 2D material into a 3D object is magical, particularly after hours spent on contextual research, drawing and testing. A lot of the time, this research process is what I enjoy the most, looking at varying constructions, historical methods and how and why they might be useful to a particular design. This is why I am particularly excited to be involved in the National Trust’s ‘Croome Redefi ned Project’, developed at Croome Court.

Croome Court has always had bright and varied residents, from the Earls of Coventry to Hare Krishna devotees and their llamas to Second World War radar development in the Court’s historic parkland. The project aims to redefi ne Croome Court as a building full of artists, craftspeople and ideas, bringing together a wide range of skills and encouraging collaboration through shared workspaces and creative residencies. I will be working in the basement of

Croome Court as a creative resident, making shoes to capture the characters of Croome Court’s past and working with artists to incorporate a variety of media, including ceramics, textiles and sound, into footwear. I am excited about the prospect of making shoes based on a specifi c place while working within its walls, particularly as such fascinating people have lived and worked in this space. My current work is focused on a pair of large buckled derby shoes, worn by ‘Capability’ Brown, the designer and landscape architect of Croome Court. As the shoes will be made at the National Trust building and my London studio, I will be engaging with the public regularly and hope to give visitors a fascinating insight into the processes involved in shoemaking.

My current work is focused on a pair of large buckled derby shoes, worn by ‘Capability’ Brown, the designer and landscape architect of Croome Court.

While working at Croome Court, I am also developing my own shoes in my London studio. After graduating from Cordwainers (London College of Fashion) in summer 2013, I briefl y worked for shoemaker Ruth Emily Davey at her studio in Machyllneth. This widened my knowledge of shoemaking while gaining an invaluable understanding into a sustainable working practice. On returning to London, I joined a collective of leather artisans based in an East London studio, giving me the time and space to develop ideas and providing access to machinery to continue making. It was through this that I was given the

opportunity to be involved in the National Trust’s project at Croome Court.

My footwear focuses on mark making and more specifi cally, resist dyeing techniques on leather. As I develop my professional practice, I aim to focus on well-sourced materials, such as elk and reindeer leathers, while keeping ethical and quality-led production at the forefront of my work. By the beginning of April, the project at Croome should be in full swing and I shall be providing updates of the development of the project via www.shoemakingcroomecourt.wordpress.com.

MAUD VAN DEN BROECKE (2001-08)

31

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | PROFILE: SHOEMAKER

Maud in her London studio, soaking leather in preparation for dyeing shoe uppers

The fi rst pair for Croome Court made by Maud based on Capability Brown’s own 18th-century shoes. The shoe last (see top photo) is left in the shoe until after the sole has been attached.


Development offi ces, whether in schools, universities or colleges, can often be spoken of disparagingly. “You only get in touch with me when you want money,” can be a common and strongly-held view of many alumni.

At Headington, we want to shift the emphasis away from contacting alumnae on our terms to setting up a range of initiatives that our former pupils will fi nd engaging and valuable. Very often these initiatives will have been suggested by alumnae themselves.

I was inspired recently by reading about the life of Baroness Young, one of our most eminent Headingtonians. I hadn’t previously appreciated the magnitude of her achievements, one of the greatest of which, arguably, was being the only woman Margaret Thatcher ever chose to serve in her Cabinet! This got me thinking: how can we better encourage Headingtonians in whatever chosen fi eld to be as successful and fulfi lled as Janet

Tim Edge has been Director of Development at Headington School since May 2013. Here he sets out his philosophy for alumnae relations work at the School.

Young was in hers? Also, what can we as a Development Offi ce do to benefi t the lives and advance the careers of those whom we should be dedicated to serve?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Right from my fi rst point of contact with Headington, I was struck by the goodwill within the School community. In particular, I have been impressed by the affection of Headington’s alumnae for their old school. It’s very rare in my experience that you fi nd alumnae as committed and as pleasant as those at Headington, or as willing to help.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

What’s the main purpose of a Development Offi ce? Fundamentally, it’s to bring people together. My aim is to keep as many members of the Headington community as possible involved with the School and in touch with the progress it is making during this exciting period in its history.

In particular, we want to know what our alumnae think about their relationship with the School – which is why we carried out an online survey to discover their opinions. We’re delighted that more than 450 alumnae completed the online questionnaire, the results of which are shown on page 28. Only by having a clear picture of the aspirations of our alumnae can we provide services that truly benefi t their lives and careers, and foster a renewed sense of connection with the School.

So, we’ve asked for your views, and, in the year ahead, we will be busy acting on them.

A COMMUNITY FOUNDED ONGOODWILL

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

32


BENEFITING LIVES AND CAREERS

One of the initiatives that I would like to introduce, which has worked well elsewhere, is interest-group networking. My aim is to organise a series of early evening events at attractive locations where anyone interested in a particular professional fi eld can meet other members of the School community with similar interests.

These events will last for 90 minutes and will include a guest speaker. We intend to start by organised networking events for

those with an interest in careers in the City or in Arts & Media, extending later into Law, Science and Medicine networking events. There is something incredibly powerful about providing the opportunity for Sixth Formers or young alumnae to pick the brains of leaders in their fi eld at events such as these.

Besides occasions to network, we want to provide more opportunities for our alumnae to interact with the School, inviting them to prestige music concerts and gala performances of plays, as well as all the key events planned for our

Centenary. (See the calendar of Centenary events on page 24.) We also aim to provide alumnae with more information about what’s going on, without overloading their inboxes: electronic newsletters, enhanced social media links and an interactive alumnae database are all planned for the year ahead.

100 OPPORTUNITIES

I think it’s really important that the School’s Centenary leaves a legacy that resonates down the generations. In this respect we aim to provide 100 opportunities for our 100th year.

In particular, we plan to offer informed mentoring advice to our Sixth Formers and younger alumnae who are considering a fi rst career or a career change. Helping our alumnae in this and many other ways as well as involving them more closely in the life of the School will strengthen those essential bonds on which successful school communities are built. TIM EDGE

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

33


34

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

From summer 2015, Headington’s sports facilities will include a dance studio and fi tness centre. The dance studio will be a dedicated space for the girls to learn ballet, modern, jazz and tap, complete with sprung fl oor, barres and mirrors. In addition, the two-storey extension on the west side of the sports hall will house a fully-equipped gym, an ergo room, a ‘spinning’ suite, a fencing piste and a weights area, and provide room for zumba

and cheerleading.

Members of the boat club are also eagerly awaiting the extension, which will give them a permanent base and signifi cantly enhanced training facilities. Planning permission has already been granted; building work will start in April 2014, and the project should be completed by the start of the summer term of our Centenary year.

NEW DANCE AND FITNESS CENTRE

Artist’s impressions of the exterior and interior of the dance and fi tness centre


THE

PEGGY DUNNSOCIETYThe Peggy Dunn Society was founded in 2013 to recognise all those who have chosen to make provision for the School in their will. Anyone who decides to make such a legacy pledge will automatically become a member of the Peggy Dunn Society.

promote excellence while remaining an inclusive and welcoming community.

ANNUAL LUNCH

Those who are generous enough to make a legacy pledge to Headington are invited to an annual lunch. This gives legators the opportunity to hear the latest news of the School from the Headmistress, to have atour of the School, and to meet each other over a convivial lunch. And it gives the School the chance to thank Society members in person for their kindness and their commitment to Headington.

The fi rst Peggy Dunn Society lunch will be held on Saturday 11th October 2014.

Peggy Dunn was Headmistress of Headington School for 23 years from 1959 to 1982. As well as being an approachable and kindly Headmistress, fondly remembered by generations, she was forward-thinking and began a programme of signifi cant expansion. By the time she retired, the number of pupils had risen from 270 to 670, helping to ensure the sustainability of the School.

Miss Dunn left a substantial legacy to the School for scholarships and bursaries to enable Headington to continue to

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Peggy Dunn Society, please get in touch with Matthew Armstrong in the Development Offi ce. E: [email protected]; T: +44 (0) 1865 759191

35

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | PEGGY DUNN SOCIETY


FAMILY NEWS | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

36

ENGAGEMENTS

CLEMMIE FRASER (2003)

to Dr Prem Chana

HELEN LAKE (2009)

to James McGloin

HANNAH LOVETT (2003)

to Christopher Madsen

MARRIAGES

LIZZIE BIRKETT (2003)

to Rob Garside, in July 2012

ALEX FIELD (2004)

to Marek Broniewski, in June 2013

LUCY HAGGER (2001)

to Joe Ottaway, in April 2013

EMMA HOLIFIELD (2003)

to Marcus Dreike, in August 2013

ANNIE LOMAS (2001)

to David Whitmey, in September 2013

ELSA NG (2002)

to Patrick Lam, in April 2013

FAMILY NEWS

Lucy Hagger’s wedding. From left: Catherine Mason (Timbrell), Annie Lomas, Jane Marsh, Rachel Norris, Charlie Jones (Burn), Lucy Ottaway (Hagger), Joe Ottaway, Claire Boers (Urwin), Mel Blackford, Nicola Blackford, Sarah Baxter and Kelly Haslam

Lizzie Birkett’s wedding. From left: Rowena Cumner (2001), Katie Whitlock (Pillman), Lizzie Garside (Birkett), Emma Dreike (Holifi eld), Charlotte Orton (Champness) (2003 leavers unless otherwise noted)

Alex Field (2004) to Marek Broniewski


Annie Lomas’ wedding. From left: Rachel Norris, Nicola Blackford, Kelly Haslam, Sarah Baxter, Claire Boers (Urwin), Annie Whitmey (Lomas), Charlie Jones (Burns), Catherine Mason (Timbrell) and Lucy Ottaway (Hagger) (all 2001 leavers). Tantallon Castle in North Berwick, near Edinburgh.

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | FAMILY NEWS

37

Emma Holifi eld’s wedding. From left: Harriet Pillman (2005), Charlotte Orton (Champness), Alice Holifi eld (2005), Emma Dreike (Holifi eld), Lizzie Garside (Birkett) and Katie Whitlock (Pillman) (2003 leavers unless otherwise noted)

Elsa Ng (2002) to Patrick Lam



38

Gemma Robbins (2003) to Guillermo (Billy) Morán Aguilera

Nazli Ozgun (2001) to Cheka Spencer

Grace Qin (2002) to Shawn Xiang Lu Emma Teichmann’s wedding with Kathy Xiang (left) and Bella Landymore as maids of honour (all 2006 leavers)

Katie Pillman’s wedding. Top row: Charlotte Orton (Champness), Lizzie Garside (Birkett), Emma Dreike (Holifi eld), Katie Whitlock (Pillman), Harriet Pillman, Alice Holifi eld. Bottom row: Maz Hayden, Clemmie Fraser, Alice Ladenburg, Olivia Lucey, Laura Murdoch (Wingfi eld Digby) (all Headingtonians)

NAZLI OZGUN (2001)

to Cheka Spencer, in October 2013

KATIE PILLMAN (2003)

to Ben Whitlock, in August 2013

GRACE QIN (2002)

to Shawn Xiang Lu, in June 2013

GEMMA ROBBINS (2003)

to Guillermo (Billy) Morán Aguilera,

in May 2013

EMMA TEICHMANN (2006)

to Jeremy Heath, in September 2013



39

Nicola Winning (2006) to Scott Hinton

Claire Urwin’s wedding. From left: Kelly Haslam, Nicola Blackford, Lucy Ottaway (Hagger), Catherine Mason (Timbrell), Jane Marsh, Claire Boers (Urwin), Sarah Baxter, Annie Whitmey (Lomas), Charlotte Jones (Burn), Sarah Gibbard (Carey), Rachel Norris (all 2001 leavers)

Laura Wingfi eld Digby (2003) to Kev MurdochOlivia Wainwright (2009) to Lekai Lee

CLAIRE URWIN (2001)

to Nick Boers, in July 2013

OLIVIA WAINWRIGHT (2009)

to Lekai Lee, in July 2013

LAURA WINGFIELD DIGBY

(2003) to Kev Murdoch,

in November 2013

NICOLA WINNING (2006)

to Scott Hinton, in October 2013


Hannah Currie’s (Cripps, 1995) children, Beth and James

Katie Geddes’ (Weeks, 1995) son JackHeather Dunlop’s (2005) son William

Charlie Jones’ (Burn, 2001) son Oliver Michelle Chui’s (1993) daughter Michaela

Katherine Dunbar’s (Jones, 2007) son James


40

BIRTHS

CHARLIE JONES (Burn, 2001)

a son, Oliver Edward Jeremy, in January

2013, brother to Sam

SARAH BARNES (Trotman, 1999)

a daughter, Lucy Olivia, in July 2013,

sister to Sophie Isobel

MICHELLE CHUI (1993)

a daughter, Michaela Hoi Lam Wright,

in July 2013

HANNAH CURRIE (Cripps, 1995),

a daughter, Beth Harriet, in February

2013, sister to James

KATHERINE DUNBAR

(Jones, 2007) – a son, James Henry, in

June 2013

HEATHER DUNLOP (2005)

a son, William James Stanley, in

September 2013

KATIE GEDDES (Weeks, 1995)

a son, Jack, in January 2014,

brother to Charlotte

SARAH GIBBARD (Carey, 2001)

a son, Fraser, in April 2013

Sarah Gibbard’s (Carey, 2001) son, Fraser



41

Alice Gilbert Scott’s (Barnett, 1994) sons, James, Zach and Thomas

Selina King’s (Ramm, 1982) son Alexander

Rebecca Selby’s (Walton, 2003) son Jonathan and daughter Eleanor

Miranda Gregory’s (Parkes, 2000) daughter, Holly Marijanne Jokumsen’s (2000) daughters, Ella and Annalisa

ALICE GILBERT SCOTT

(Barnett, 1994), a son, Zach, in March

2013, brother to James and Thomas

MIRANDA GREGORY

(Parkes, 2000) a daughter, Holly Elizabeth,

in January 2013

MARIJANNE JOKUMSEN

(2000) a daughter, Ella, in March 2013,

sister to Annalisa

SELINA KING (Ramm, 1982)

a son, Alexander, in March 2013

HELEN LAUGHTON

(Chambers, 2005) a son, James,

in August 2013

REBECCA SELBY

(Walton, 2003), a son, Jonathan Micah, in

July 2013, brother to Eleanor Grace

CAROLINE WILSON

(Smith, 1994), a daughter, Annie,

in May 2013, sister to Jack

Helen Laughton’s (Chamber, 2005) son James

Caroline Wilson’s (Smith, 1994) son Jack and daughter Annie


42

OBITUARIES | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

DEATHS

STAFF

HELEN ADAMSONFrench and maths teacher 1962-79, in

December 2013

JANE LAWLEYPE teacher 2003-13, in December 2013

KAY OXLEY

Head science technician 1992-2013,

in June 2013

DORIS STOGDALE

Piano teacher for over 20 years,

in October 2013

HEADINGTONIANS

SHEILA BOUCHER

(Phillips, 1945-50), in September 2013

MARY FLEAY

(Simpson, 1931-42), in March 2013

PAULINE HAWORTH-BOOTH

(Osborne-King, 1943-49),

in January 2013

WENDY PEMBERTON

(Milne, 1939-44), in January 2013

ELISABETH HASELDEN

(Pope, 1945-50) in September 2013

PENNY SNOOK

(Cripps, 1950-62), in January 2013

ANNE SPALDING (1925-29), in April 2013

OBITUARIES

STAFF

JANE LAWLEY

PE TEACHER, 2003-13

Jane Lawley, who taught at Headington Prep School for over 10 years, died in December 2013. She was a teacher of Physical Education for more than 30 years in Oxford. She was an inspiration to the children and young people she taught, combining excellent practice with a supportive and encouraging approach.

Jane was born in Walthamstow in east London in 1958 and was the second of four children. Her mother was a primary school teacher, her dad worked in retail. The family moved to Watford where at school Jane was a keen student and excelled in sport, particularly hockey, netball and dance.

Jane went to Bedford College to train as a teacher, and then to the Iona community in Scotland where she cooked and ran the café. She went to a teaching post in India, followed by some time as a volunteer in a refuge for the homeless run by Mother Teresa in Calcutta.

Back in the UK she taught at Wheatley Park School, becoming sixth form tutor. She joined a local bell-ringing group where she met and married Kevin with whom she had her fi rst two children: Daniel, now 28, and Laura, 26. Later, Jane had three more children with her then partner Chris: Kate, 15, Jake, 12, and Tiggy, 9. She enjoyed being a mum very much and brought up her children to be strong and independent. Elements of Jane can be seen in all fi ve children, both in looks and character.

For the last 10 years Jane worked at Headington School and adapted to working with much younger children. At fi rst she would puzzle about how you could possibly teach dance to four-year-olds and had to be reminded that this age group ‘didn’t really get sarcasm!’

At Headington Jane showed her organisational skills: she ran clubs before and after school, arranged competitions, parent helpers and followed the girls’ sporting success with keen interest. She supported them from the touch lines and many girls have talked about how they found, with Jane, that they could do something in sport. Many remember clearly her strongly-held mantra: ‘It’s not about the taking part – it’s about the winning!’

Jane was diagnosed with lung cancer last May and began treatment that would earn her more precious time with her family and friends.

As well as her fi ve children and grandson, Jane is survived by her mother, Betty Madge and siblings Sue, Robert and Duncan.

Jane was an interesting and enthusiastic person who was straight-talking and had a good, sharp sense of humour. Her defi nite and often amusing take on life and people, her chats and advice will be missed by many. Jane will be remembered


43

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | OBITUARIES

for a life in which she enjoyed her career immensely and one that was dedicated to

children, both her own and others.

SUE LAWLEY (sister)

KAY OXLEY

HEAD SCIENCE TECHNICIAN,

1992-2013

Kay joined Headington on 1st September 1992 and since then all girls in school will have encountered her as she organised equipment for Physics lessons throughout the school. Kay was an outstanding science technician; she formed the backbone of the Physics department providing calmness, unwavering support and friendship to her colleagues but also kindness, care and help to our students. Kay used to tell me how lucky she felt to work at the school but the truth was we were all lucky to have her with us.

Kay was well known around the wider school. She knew everyone on the staff and she would talk, and more importantly listen, to anyone. She would always welcome new staff and somehow, I am not sure how, she could get a favour out of everyone, perhaps because there was a chance of being rewarded with some of her amazing cakes. I remember negotiating once with someone

at a local institution who had kindly offered to supply us with some liquid nitrogen for our ice cream making activity in Science week. He asked me to collect it myself as he didn’t do deliveries to school, despite me explaining that this would be very diffi cult for us to transport. So I handed over the arrangements to Kay. The gentleman in question duly delivered the nitrogen to school and then collected the empty fl ask a few days later with a smile and a cake reward, repeating what a pleasure it was to help. Kay had him under her spell!

Kay died in June 2013. She was, without question, one of the kindest people I have ever met and her contribution to the school, staff and students was immense. And as for her liquid nitrogen ice cream: you’ll never have better.

JAMES STEPHENSONHead of Physics

DORIS STOGDALEPIANO TEACHER FOR MORE

THAN 20 YEARS

Doris Mosley was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1921. At the age of 17, she took a gap year and went to France to teach English. While she was abroad, the Second World War was declared and she had to wait months to be repatriated.

Doris returned to the UK to study geography and economics at Durham University where she graduated with a First and also met her future husband, Vivian Stogdale. In 1943, she moved to London to work for the newly established Ministry of Town and Country Planning. During the bombing raids, Doris spent many nights as a volunteer fi re watcher. In 1944, she was elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

In 1947, Doris and Vivian were married and, soon afterwards, they moved to Malaysia with Vivian’s work as a civil engineer. Their fi rst posting was to Kuala Dungun. Doris learned to speak Malay and taught local children to swim. Her three children, David, Valerie and Anne, were all born in Malaya. During the next 11 years, the family moved all over the country while Vivian oversaw the construction of major roads through the jungle, often working under Gurkha protection against Communist insurgents. Doris survived recurrent bouts of malaria.

After Malaya’s independence in 1957, Doris and Vivian returned to the UK and brought with them a fridge they had purchased in 1952. It gained national fame 58 years later as the oldest working fridge in Britain.

Doris and Vivian settled at Shotover Hill where they renovated a dilapidated farmhouse and created a garden in the middle of natural woodland. In the 1970s, Doris, a talented pianist, embarked on a new career as a piano teacher and taught at Headington for 20 years. She continued to give lessons until her death in October 2013.

ANNIE STOGDALE (niece)

A memorial concert was held at the School in February, in memory of Doris. William Howard, one of Britain’s leading pianists, gave a recital that included works by Mendelssohn, Schubert, Schumann and Chopin. We hope this will become an annual event.


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Anne Spalding died on 18th April 2013 at the age of 101. She was the oldest child of H.N. and Nellie Spalding and was born in St George’s Square, London on 18th November 1911. She spent much of her childhood in Lyme Regis where her parents also owned a house, and many of her thoughts and dreams in her later years were of the time she spent in Lyme: it was an idyllic time for her, her sister Ruth and brother John. They had little formal schooling in Lyme apart from lessons with governesses. They spent time swimming, horse-riding and digging for fossils and Anne’s artistic talents were fi rst fostered by a Miss Eastment who taught her drawing.

Most of Anne’s life was spent in London and Oxfordshire. When she was in her early teens her parents moved to Oxford where they had a large house built on Shotover, later moving to 9 South Parks Road, and Anne and Ruth (the Spalding sisters) came

to Headington School. After the informality of her earlier childhood, Anne did not particularly take to school life. She was always interested in art and after leaving school she studied at the Ruskin School of Art, then housed in the Ashmolean. Her parents were a little disappointed as they would have preferred her to engage in more academic study, but Anne’s love was always art and she blossomed at the Ruskin, making many lifelong friendships and developing her artistic talents. She was later taught by Barnett Freedman who also became a good friend.

Anne painted portraits (several are in the National Portrait Gallery), still lifes, landscapes, a series of pictures of the London Underground, and many pictures of London, using oils, water colours and lithography. She drew inspiration from Lyme Regis, London, Kent, Oxfordshire, Kenya, Tanzania, Arizona and anywhere else she

found herself in her much-travelled life. She exhibited widely: in various locations in London, including through Sally Hunter Fine Art; at the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford and at the Woodstock Museum.

She lived in London after the war but returned to Oxfordshire in the 1970s, living in the village of Lewknor for many years; she spent the last 12 years of her life at St John’s Home in Cowley where she was a very active, much loved and admired resident. Until only a few years ago she was still going to a life class in Oxford and drawing in the Ashmolean. She was very modest about her talents and lived simply and without ostentation. She was excellent company, immensely generous, fun, kind, witty and wise, and dearly loved by her siblings, nieces and their wider families as well as by numerous friends from all walks of life.

JEANIE MOYO (niece)

ANNE SPALDING

(1925-29)


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THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | OBITUARIES

MARY FLEAY

(SIMPSON, 1931-42)

Mary was Head Girl at Headington, played on the wing at hockey and later played for the university. On leaving school in 1942, she joined up in the WAAF and served in radar at several stations, including Dover, Portland and Rosehearty. The most notable of these was Dover, during the period of bombardment and threatened invasion. When pressed, she would describe the strange experience of waiting for the arrival of very heavy shells fi red by either side (intervals were of about a minute, with destination uncertain).

After the war, Mary went up to Newnham College, Cambridge, where her mother had been before her. Following three years reading History and Geography, she married a cadet in the Colonial Administrative Service bound for Uganda.She spent ten years in Uganda, in the course of which she educated three of her four children in an up-country station to such effect that the eldest successfully entered Norwich High School.

After her husband left the Colonial Service and moved to government service in London, Mary moved her family to Pangbourne in the Thames Valley. From there, the children were able to follow university careers at Oxford, London and Cambridge (the youngest going to Newnham too).

Mary then followed a part-time teaching career until moving to Wimbledon and eventual retirement. This was spent in part sailing from the River Dart, and later living near Salisbury.

Having begun as an Anglican, towards the end of her life Mary attended Quaker meetings. By nature she was a keen

gardener and craftswoman, too modest to acknowledge the excellent results she frequently achieved.

She died on 9th March 2013.

MARTIN FLEAY (husband)

WENDY PEMBERTON

(MILNE, 1939-44)

Born on 19th November 1925, Wendy was the only daughter of William and Rachel Milne, who had left London after the First World War to try farming in East Suffolk. Wendy grew up in this quiet rural environment, enjoying the life of the village and farm, making friends with neighbours and keeping close contact with her cousins. Soon it was off to Headington. Judging from her old school certifi cates, she obviously ‘made good progress’ in many subjects. She had plans to go into physiotherapy.

Back at home, she found work locally as an assistant matron at a local boys’ public school, Framlingham College, where she met and soon married one of the young teachers, John Pemberton, on

1st September 1948. They set up home in a house provided in the grounds of the Junior School to Framlingham, Brandeston Hall. Here she spent the next 23 years, bringing up their sons and caring for the home. She involved herself in the local community – both village and school. In 1971 Wendy and John left Brandeston to live in Woodbridge, as John moved schools. With both her boys away at university, she would spend her time looking after the house, caring for her elderly mother, and engaging in local life.

She was a member of the Mothers’ Union for over 50 years and a long-term supporter of the Red Cross and British Heart Foundation. When John retired from teaching in 1980, they enjoyed visiting family, relatives and friends, gardening, bird watching, visiting heritage sites, being involved in the community and taking an annual holiday to the Highlands and Islands.

Wendy’s last few years became a struggle with increasing fragility, until her fi nal short illness. She died on 2nd January 2013.

MICHAEL PEMBERTON (son)


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SHEILA ROSEMARY BOUCHER

(PHILLIPS, 1945-50)

Sheila attended Headington School as a day girl with Oxen House from 1945 to 1950, cycling to and from her home on the outskirts of Oxford. Her happiest memories of school centred on sport, particularly hockey, which she played for both school and county, and tennis, which became a lasting passion. She retained an abiding affection for Headington and attended a number of reunions. An academic pupil, she completed school a year early and went on to take a secretarial course which led to a job at Exeter College. From there, she moved to a new post in London, where she shared a fl at with friends.

Sheila married Tom Boucher, a civil engineer from Belfast, in 1957. Job opportunities took them to Canada where Sheila resumed her secretarial work, made many lifelong friends and thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor life.

Despite the demands of a growing family and having returned to the UK, Sheila took on part-time work once her children

were of school age. Her favourite post – secretary to a well-known horticulturalist – channelled her own passion for gardening, inspiring her to greater creativity, such that she was able to open her own garden to the public.

Always organised and full of energy (she never walked if she could run), Sheila was an invaluable support to many organisations, contributing a great deal of time and effort to organising charitable and social functions. She was the secretary for the local tennis club for many years and continued to play into her seventies. Once Tom had retired, they both enjoyed the chance to travel more widely, taking opportunities to visit their three children, all of whom were based overseas.

After being widowed at the comparatively early age of 65, Sheila remained busy with her garden, bridge, activities associated with the local branch of the National Trust and the RSPB. She also continued to travel, taking in destinations ranging from Jordan to South Africa.

Her last few years were blighted by dementia, with which she coped bravely. She died of cancer on 24th September

2013, aged 80, and is survived by her

three children and four grandchildren.

CAROL ROBINSON (daughter)

ELISABETH HASELDEN

(POPE, 1945-50)

Elisabeth Haselden (Pope), one of my greatest friends at Headington, died unexpectedly in September 2013.She and I, along with Audrey Field (Turner) and Julia Harwood (Scott), had been in the fi rst intake at Davenport when it re-opened after the war in January 1946. We had all met to celebrate our 80th birthdays in 2012.

Elisabeth was still actively working when she died. After her fi rst career as a nurse at St Thomas’ and a break for marriage and family, she retrained as a primary school teacher in the 1970s. Then in the 1990s she found, through her interest in psychotherapy, her métier as a school counsellor and private therapist.We had known each other for 75 years and I shall miss her.

ALISON BICKMORE (Shaw, 1945-51)

Hockey 1949. Sheila is on the right


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FORMER HEAD

ELIZABETH TUCKER(1982-96)

My great-great niece is now two and my great-nephew 12…what a joy to be able to look forwards with them. My second Presentee at Christ’s Hospital is in her third year and my fi rst is at university; my godchildren’s families are growing up fast, and it is always good to see former pupils and hear about their lives. I hope and pray the young are doing what Tutu told the Headington girls they should do: make a difference.

I now have a laptop as my most advanced piece of technology: it is a treat to use it to communicate with Bishop Dinis and the new priest Father Mateus at St George’s Beira. Father Germano, alas, ‘entered eternity’ last December and his funeral was in Maputo the day before Bishop Dinis married Lina. Bishop Dinis will retire in March 2014. Please

pray for his replacement, and for peace in Mozambique where the Civil War opponents are causing serious trouble, so that Zove, the place of the accident, has been abandoned for the moment. Berta was celebrated this year at the Church of the Sower, which she established, and at Zandamela where she grew up. Please look at the ALMA and MANNA websites for news.

Other parish news: Father Paul, after nearly 11 years with us, was given three months’ study leave, and we had a series of visiting priests on Sunday mornings. The Advent Service of Light for the day of Father Paul’s return proved a challenge for the choir! We have a dynamic new organist/choirmaster who has introduced a meditative anthem each Sunday during Communion and has inspired us to ‘warm up’ before the service! Evensong has continued with members of the congregation leading the service and I had the opportunity to share my Companionship of the Society of St Francis one Sunday evening.

Our parish pilgrimage this year was to the city of St Francis, Assisi, which I last visited when I was 35. This time there seemed to be a vast number of steep steps everywhere and the city seemed to be built not on the side of a hill but on a precipice! It was wonderful to share worship in the Lower Basilica and to explore the Upper Basilica. What amazing painted walls

they both have! It was special to visit San Damiano and the Hermitage after a morning spent drawing and ‘being’. My sister Margaret and I extended the Franciscan link by staying in the Friary in Alnmouth after a week at the Ryedale Festival with my schoolfriend. We visited Alnwick, Lindisfarne and Durham, where we saw the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition and worshipped in that magnifi cent cathedral.

I continue to enjoy meeting folk from all over the world who fl ock to the British Museum, where every fourth Saturday I give a talk on the Greeks, but music remains my main recreation. I enjoy making music with Beryl, violinist, Sian, cellist, my sister Margaret, pianist, and with the Enfi eld Chamber Orchestra in which I play the cello. At our concerts this year we have accompanied the Weber Bassoon Concerto, the Schumann Piano Concerto and the Beethoven Violin Concerto, and have played overtures and symphonies. These require a great deal of practice and I always hugely enjoy the concerts which lift us to a new level of playing.

FORMER STAFF

CORINNE PETFORD(1957-93)

I have begun doing things with the Oxford alumni as well as with

the Headingtonians as it gives an immediate point of mutual interest even if, by chance, you do not know anyone. So now I have seen the Northern Lights with a group led by astrophysics professor, Roger Davies. His daughter, Helen, also with the group, is a Headingtonian too. The latest visit was to Madrid, with its wonderful art galleries.

GISELE EARLE(1983-2005)

2013 has been a good year for me as in November I was awarded a PhD at King’s College London for my thesis ‘A Poet for all Seasons: a Study of the Writings of Gómez Manrique’, on which I had been working for the last fi ve years and hope to publish, at least in part. The day after my viva I had an urgent request from Abingdon School asking me to help with the Sixth Form Spanish classes on a temporary basis, which I also did back in 2010-11.

For the last six years I have been a volunteer at the Oxfam bookshop in St. Giles where I sort and price the French, Spanish, Catalan and Portuguese books one afternoon a week. There is certainly life after Headington School and, since my husband has just retired, we are looking forward to spending more time travelling together.

IN TOUCHTHE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | IN TOUCH


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IN TOUCH | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

1941BARBARA LYON (1936-41)

In Autumn 2010, I moved to a bungalow in Eardisley which is on the ‘black and white trail’ near Hereford. The move was horrendous – I am a terrible hoarder. I miss all my friends in Dyffryn Ardudwy and the mountains and the sea but everyone here is very friendly and my sister Jill lives in Kington which is only six miles away instead of 92. I have two small gardens, front and back, and although I can’t do much myself (owing to arthritis in hips and spine) I have a gardener friend to keep it going. Apart from weak legs, I am pretty healthy at nearly 89. My good education means that I can sometimes shout out the answers before the contestants in University

Challenge, Mastermind and Pointless, and also helps with crosswords. The large church, with a famous 12th-century font, is just across the road and our vicar has six other churches to look after. We have been to four weddings of great-nieces and nephews. Elinor’s descendants continue to increase. We have four great-greats now! If anyone is in this area, do call in (ring 01544 327660 fi rst).

1945KATE FUSSELL (1942-45)

I retired in 1990, having been a Consultant General Surgeon in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Since then, I became a non-executive director of the Ashton Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust and more recently a Governor of the

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust – the hospitals I used to work at. In 1971, I joined the Soroptimist International of Wigan. I was Club President twice, President of the Region of South Lancashire and President of the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland 1986-87. The Federation then included 17 countries, mostly former colonies in Africa and the Caribbean and Hong Kong and Thailand. I had a

wonderful year, visiting all but three Caribbean islands. I keep busy as a trustee of the local community centre, volunteer at the Library and am secretary to the local osteoporosis support group. I am also a member of the Medical Women’s Federation and the Royal Society of Medicine.

1947JANET JOCHUM (Saul, 1943-47)

Janet has painted this picture in honour of the Centenary, and has kindly donated it to the School. It illustrates Headington’s motto: ‘Fight the good fi ght of faith’. She writes: ‘I started to

HEADINGTONIANS

Oxenford House, 1939

Headington girls, 1946

Janet Jochum’s: ‘Fight the good fi ght of faith’


49

THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | IN TOUCH

paint the picture in 2011 but did not fi nally fi nish it until this year 2013 for the centenary in 2015. My younger sister Patience and I were at school during the war years, a diffi cult time undoubtedly, but we sang the school hymn (‘Fight the good fi ght’) with verve and enthusiasm – and the emphasis on ‘good’!

1953ANNE JONES (Billings, 1947-53)

Outside Hillstow, 1950. Back: Anne Jones (Billings) and Susan Morley (Loweth). Front (from left): Helen Monteith, Jackie Olson (Wheeler) and Diane MacMorran (Bunney)

It was interesting to read news of Patricia Kingerlee in the last magazine. I remember in 1947 when her family invited me to spend the day with them in Abingdon to watch/listen to the Royal Wedding; it was my fi rst term at Headington (Hillstow). I still live in Cheltenham, having spent 52 years in the same house, and keep busy with churchwarden’s duties, W.I. Probus, gardening, grandchildren

and socialising. I keep in touch with Heather Quitmann (Scott), Ann Saunders (Harding), Diane MacMorran (Bunney) and Penny Ashley (Shilson) and have many happy memories of my days at Headington in spite of dreadful homesickness in my fi rst year!

1954SILVIA JOINSON (Smither, 1944-54)

We celebrated our 50th anniversary this year with a cruise round the Baltic on the Marco Polo; a pleasant fl oating hotel, which gave us a taste of six countries. Later we had a family weekend at a country hotel (11 of us) with facilities to cater for all ages. Maddy’s husband (Chris Chibnall) has had success with Broadchurch on ITV in the spring and The Great Train Robbery on BBC 1.I am still playing badminton, swimming and cycling. I have had one cataract operation and the second is due in January; I am already noticing the difference!

1956MARY PATERSON (1951-56)

I now have a Certifi cate of Profi ciency in Beekeeping, having passed the basic assessment in beekeeping of the British Beekeepers’ Association. And I am in my second year as treasurer of the local Trefoil Guild, which is Guiding (as in Girl Guides) for Adults.

1957SUE ASHBY(Collett, 1945-57)

My news is mostly about my family. As we approach our 5th wedding anniversary, James and I have mutually 11 grandchildren and one on the way. We enjoy long-distance walking, mostly in Scotland but have ventured south of the border to walk Hadrian’s Wall and Offa’s Dyke amongst others. Margaret Richards (Owen) still lives in the same town, so we meet now and then.

1960GWENDOLINE O’SULLIVAN (Freeman, 1953-60)

I am enjoying retirement and am kept busy by helping to look after grandchildren. I am still in touch with Caroline de Grandi, Lesley Adamson (Greaves), Cory Lyons (Hassall), Sylvia Williamson (Meiggs) and Elizabeth Tryner (Flooks). We have a lovely black labrador called Seamus who keeps us entertained.

1962HILARY TAYLOR (Babbage, 1955-62)

I have been retired from anaesthesia practice for the past two years, while Wayne, ‘my partner on the road of life’, still works hard in his retirement as Chairman of the Health Board. But we have enjoyed another wonderful year. In March we travelled from the west side of Australia to the East (Perth to Sydney) on a wine tour, then fl ew to New Zealand and drove from Queenstown on the South Island to Auckland on the North Island. We would love to return there… but there is a bucket list. In June we fl ew/ train / fl ew to Ontario to see my two sons, one in London (Corddry, Leanne, Heath and Noel) and the other in Toronto (Christian), and for a wedding in Ottawa (Wayne’s nephew).

Back in Nova Scotia and playing golf almost every day, sadly with only minimal noticeable improvement and regretful that golf was not on the curriculum at Headington in my day, but also taking time to walk the beaches

Hillstow 1958, with House Mistress Miss Patricia Raikes. Hilary Taylor (Babbage) is in the back row (second from right)


50


calls in for lunch. My youngest is teaching PE in Mount Grace School, Potters Bar but hoping to go to Australia for a change of scene - another excuse for us to travel! We do however love Britain and my sister Frances and I have a cottage on Tresco which we think is the best place in the world!

1974FARZANA NOON QURESHI (1973-74)

sent in the photograph below, taken at her youngest daughter’s wedding on 31st March 2013, in Lahore, Pakistan. All the people in the photograph are Headingtonians, apart from the bride and groom.

and enjoy the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia, now my home for the past 27 years. Corddry and Heath came to stay for a week at the end of August – what a thrill. Golf is fi nished for the year so it is back to yoga and walking for exercise, and the Met Opera HD at the movies. And to planning our next trip: Antarctica & Patagonia on a Seabourn cruise departing Buenos Aires to Santiago for 21 days in January. After that, at the end of March, a short solo visit to the family in England. Life is good. I am hopeful that some others of the Class of ’62 will be at the centenary celebrations in July 2015 to reconnect our lives after 53 years!

1963CHRISTINE TRENEER (Markby, 1952-63)

I have great memories of Headington from being in the Juniors and then the Seniors. My father (Cecil Markby) was vicar at Highfi eld and Chaplain at the School and after he died in my fi rst year at the Senior School, the School very generously gave me a bursary for the rest of my time at school.

I look back on those years with joy and gratitude. After a period of nursing at Westminster Hospital, I met and married my husband, Mike Treneer. We were in Nairobi for 16 years, where Mike led the work of the Navigators (an interdenominational mission agency) in sub-Saharan Africa. What a privilege those years were.

Since 1999 we have been based in Colorado Springs, from where Mike now directs the work of the Navigators worldwide.

We have three adult children and seven grandchildren and we are so thankful for each one of them. We do feel we have been greatly blessed and I am so grateful for the part Headington School has played in my formative years.

1969GRACE THOMAS (Roper, 1963-69)

I enjoy being 60! I am still living in our beautiful house in Langland Bay and run a small B&B. I also do the wages for fi ve beach cafés employing up to 150 staff in the height of the summer. I attended a marvellous centenary

service in St Paul’s, London for the WRVS (now the RVS) as I cook lunch for the elderly once a month. I have at last got a small hive of bees and they seem to be enjoying the sea air despite the recent high winds. A Swedish newspaper called to use our link for Gowerlive.com as the big storm was approaching!

My children are giving my husband and me new experiences in life! Our eldest is now a resident of Canada and living in Whistler so we and the family, including my sister Olwen and her family, went to visit them last summer. Lake swimming, mountain walks, sea kayaking, whale watching, salmon fi shing. I recommend it as a brilliant holiday destination.

My middle son has left home but is working nearby so often

Standing (from left): Mehrunisa Mehboob (Upper 6th), Ayesha Hamid (1989), Nosheen Noon (1983), Anisa Noon (2009) and Asma Hamid Pataudi (1990). Sitting (from left): Farzana Noon Qureshi (1974), the groom Jarrar Shah, the bride Nida Bano Qureshi, and Safi a Noon (1979)


51


(Colquhoun) and I loved meeting up with Debbie Laidlaw (Morris Adams) and Susan and Sonia Sciama (married names elude me) in the Ashmolean for a leisurely lunch and long chat. Class of ‘79 and ‘81, we really must get together soon.

1982SUSAN BLACKETT (Surman, 1968-82)

I recently moved to Zimbabwe where my husband has taken up a new post as Rector of Peterhouse School, a boarding school near Marondera. It has been lovely to fi nd that one of the Peterhouse parents is Gertie Makuvise (Mswaka) who was at Headington in the same year as me and in the same hockey team!

SELINA KING (Ramm, 1968-82)

I was never much of a risk taker and I always liked to follow the rule book. However, Philip and I forgot the rules and took a chance. Baby Alexander is the result! My pregnancy was going really well until I developed pre-eclampsia which forced Alex’s early delivery. He was born in March and needed a signifi cant stay in the neonatal ward. He was discharged in July and still needs a bit of care because he was so early. However, he will soon be running around like any other toddler. He is an absolute delight and we are beginning to accept how he has turned our lives upside down! So, despite it being quite a traumatic year, we feel incredibly blessed. (See the photo in the Family News section.)

1979ESRA PARR(Cagdas, 1973-79)

Life begins at 50! As I approached my half-century, and the prospect of an empty nest, I decided I had to reinvent myself. Following careers in graphic design (Thames TV), image consultancy (House of Colour) and setting up a silk painting studio (SilkWorks), I took a break while the boys went through their GCSEs and A levels. I then realised that coffee mornings and the gym were not going to be enough. So I’ve spent the last four years retraining as a landscape & garden designer with Capel Manor College. I’ve taken part-time courses in horticulture, design and hard landscaping - I’m sure you can visualise me building a brick wall! Winning a competition sponsored by Provender Nurseries to redesign the planting of an existing garden at the National Gardening Centre spurred me on.

So with the boys sorted (Alex 21, studying Medicine in Brighton and Dominic 19, at Oxford studying rowing with a bit of

Economics squeezed in between training sessions), I’m now busy designing gardens of all shapes and sizes and loving it. It feels like a culmination of all of my previous careers and absolutely the right place to be. You can fi nd me at www.esraparrgardens.com.Celebrating my 50th birthday recently with my closest and dearest friends was very special. As I looked around the table, I realised how very privileged we all are today to be able to fl ourish at an age when our mothers and certainly grandmothers would probably have been settling into a quieter middle age and starting to wind down. Not us!

SALLY-ANNE FISON LENTON (Fison, 1972-79)

Since leaving Headington I got a French degree from Bristol and a bilingual secretarial diploma from the French Institute. I went sailing with my father to Mallorca. I worked in the City before meeting my husband at Nabisco in Reading. Then I did a course on 3-D Design at BCAD

in Maidenhead, at the time of the recession. Also, I used to sell my photos through a slide library run by Josie Elias. We moved to Perth in Scotland where I had our daughter Amelia. Sadly we divorced and I moved into a cottage in Cookham. I suffered badly from bipolar disorder over the next 12 years, but managed to have a couple of ‘Open Studios’ of my artwork during that period. I got better at the start of 2012 and we moved to Henley. We have been here over a year now and love it. Our social lives have improved immensely and Millie now drives herself to school at Queen Anne’s in Reading. I have a part-time job working in CC fashion retail. I keep in touch with quite a few school friends. Mandy Cochrane and Lizzie Pim live in this area. I really value all their friendships. It’s a bit like having sisters – we have known each other for 41 years now! My ambition for 2014 is to hold a proper exhibition of my artwork. Watch this space!

1981CARISSIMA PUGH (Bayliss, 1974-81)

Having not been to the carol service for over 30 years, how much I enjoyed the beautiful service at Christ Church. It seemed just the right length and the choir sang like angels and the readings were clearly and expressively delivered; it all sent me into a rapt trance! Thank you so much Headington for a wonderful start to Christmas, I defi nitely would like to repeat the experience next year! Araminta


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1984WINNIE KWAN (1976-84)

Thirty years have passed since I left HSO and it is with great anticipation that I shall fl y back from Hong Kong to visit my Alma Mater and reunite with old friends on Headingtonians’ Day, June 14th. If you would like to reconnect, please join the Facebook group ‘Headington School Oxford, Class of 1984’.

On a personal note, I sold my retail pharmacy business in London (after 20+ years) and I am now on the Board of Directors with the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, bringing authors from all over the world to Hong Kong. I ferry between London and Hong Kong regularly because my two teenage sons are at boarding school in England.

1990ZOE GLENISTER (Hector, 1984-90)

After leaving Headington, I studied French and German at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and worked for a translation company for a couple of years. Having gained experience as an English assistant in a German school during my degree and really enjoyed it, I decided to give teaching a go and went to Oxford Brookes to do my PGCE. I have been teaching languages in secondary schools ever since and am currently working three days a week at a school in Gerrards Cross. I am still in touch with many of my old friends from school and put my positive outlook on life and teaching down to the great education I received at Headington. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and running (something I never did at school!). I am married with two children and we live in the Chilterns.

1994JOHANNA BODDAM-WHETHAM (Ingram, 1986-94)

I’ve had a good year – the fi rst time in a long time when there have been no babies or moves around the corner (that I am anticipating anyway!). I am loving being a mum to Amy (8),

Oli (6) and Seth (4). I had the great excitement of having a book published: Input Output: Getting to the Heart of Personal Prayer and Bible Study. Published by Christian Focus. I have noticed a severe lack of news from 1994 leavers – let’s hear from you all. Sadly, life in Carlisle makes it hard to get down to all the events.

1996AMY GROVIT (Holliday, 1988-96) sent in a photo of her two children, Gwen (6) and Freddie (3).

1998DURRAH KHALIL-CAMALXAMAN (1994-98) let us know that after graduating with a BA in 2004, she went on to complete a Diploma in Diamond Grading & Jewellery Design at GIA and a Diploma in Jewellery Manufacturing at Holt’s Academy in London. She worked at Tiffany & Co before establishing her own business, Durrah Jewellery (www.facebook.com/DurrahJewellery and www.durrah.co.uk).

2003LIZZIE GARSIDE (Birkett, 1997-2003) has let us know that she is now teaching English at a secondary school in Bath. Wedding photos are in the Family News section.

ANGEL KO (2001-03) would like to wish Kamina Lai (2002) and Janice Tsang (2002) the very best of luck and a blissful life ahead.

Angel Ko with Kamina Lai (middle) and Janice Tsang (right)


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GEMMA MORAN AGUILERA (Robbins, 1996-2003)

It has been a whirlwind year for me. I was accepted for an MSc at the London School of Economics to study Epidemiology, Demography and Health Policy which I fi nish in 2014. I got married on 3rd May 2013 at Old Marylebone Town Hall in London, just 13 months after meeting my future husband. I have also met up with Linda Wilkinson (English teacher), and with Liz Hodges, Jenny Charlton and Tanya Hanna (Roddie) for tea at Fortnum & Mason. We plan a tea at the Savoy later this year too.

LAURA MURDOCH (Wingfi eld Digby, 1994-2003) sent this information with her wedding photo: I got married to Kev Murdoch at my home church, St Andrew’s, in Oxford, on 16th November 2013. We now live near Kings Cross, London. Kev is a minister at ‘Euston Church’ and I am currently still a Youth Worker in Hackney.

2004SAL AKOMOLAFE(1996-2004)Sal has set up an event page on Facebook to encourage 2004 leavers to come back for Headingtonians’ Day. Search for ‘Headington’s Class of 2004’

2008EMILY SMITH (2001-08)

Over the winter of 2008-09, I completed a great ski season in Serre Chevalier before going on to the University of Surrey in September 2009. I studied Nutrition and Dietetics for four years and graduated in summer 2013 with a 2:1 and as President of Surrey Snowsports. However, by the time I sat my fi nals, I knew that dietetics was not the career for me, and I began to pursue a growing passion for media strategy and advertising. I applied to an incredible summer graduate scheme at Havas Worldwide London – a global advertising agency – and was one of the six graduates chosen out of over 400 applicants.

I had an amazing summer at Havas and couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have found my

dream job so quickly. It turns out they liked me as well, and this autumn I was offered the position of account executive, working on the advertising campaigns for their biggest clients, and some great household names. I’m not quite making the John Lewis Christmas TV advert yet, but I have big plans! I now live in London and I am quickly learning that life in advertising is fast paced, long hours and hard work, but I could not be happier! My email address is [email protected] should anyone want to get in touch.Liz Hodges, Tanya Hanna (Roddie), Jenny Charlton and Gemma Morán Aguilera (Robbins)

2008 leavers gathered at a London pub to celebrate Rheanna Underwood’s birthday in January. From left: Eve Hemingway, Natasha Logan, Fran Dance, Annie McGrath, Jenny Castle-Miller, Shannon Mahanty, Rheanna Underwood, Sophie Wilson, Rossie Edenbrow, Katie Churchill and Rosie Wells


LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS | THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014

LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS

Congratulations to all our newest Headingtonians, who left the school in summer 2013, and all our warmest wishes as they head out on their chosen paths.

54

NAME DESTINATION SUBJECT

Margot Abbott Durham University Anthropology

Omobolanle Adisa (2014 entry)

Sophia Alden (2014 entry)

Reanne Anad Cardiff University Psychology with Professional Placement

Alexandra Arnold Sheffi eld University Law and Criminology

Charlotte Atkinson Manchester University Chemical Engineering

Gerda Bachrati Cambridge University Veterinary Medicine

Bethany Bagnall-Ainslie Birmingham University Music

Eve Banning Durham University Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity

Sarah Boreham Durham University English Literature

Omotola Braithwaite SOAS International Management (Japan and Korea)

Indi Brodley SAE Institute, Oxford Audio Production

Xinyun (Michelle) Cai Nottingham University Economics

Marina Campbell (2014 entry)

Karen Chau University of Hong Kong Law

Ka Yan (Sharon) Cheung King’s College London Law

Chi Kwan (Fionie) Chow University of Hong Kong Medicine

Charlotte Cobb Exeter University Geography

Clementine Collett Oxford University Theology

Eleanor Colville Cambridge University English

Frances Currie Newcastle University Geography

Hannah Duckworth Ernst & Young Accountancy

Chloe Duncan Goldsmiths English with Creative Writing

Misan Eyesan University College London Economics and Business with East European Studies

Isabella Fabian Oxford Brookes University Life Sciences Foundation

Lucy Fatania-Morley University of Law Law

Anouschka Fenley University of Washington Liberal Arts

Isabella FladŽe University College London Geography

Martha Foster Leeds Metropolitan Sports Coaching

Cara Gainer Cardiff University Geography (Human)

Helen Gammond Nottingham University Chemistry (with a year in Industry)

Delia Gander University College London Computer Science

Betsy Glasgow Oxford University French and Beginners Italian


Victoria Greig Leeds University Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

Eleanor Haines (2014 entry)

Georgie Hall Warwickshire College Veterinary Nursing

Anna Herrmann Oxford University Law with German Law

Victoria Hinkins Royal Holloway Geography

Lai Sze (Esther) Ho Nottingham University Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

Annabel Hogan Loughborough University Drama

Sophie Holloran Birmingham University Medicine

Emma Howsham Birmingham University Mechanical Engineering

Sarah James (2014 entry)

Jasmine Jim Chinese University of Hong Kong

International Business and Chinese Enterprise

Tabitha Kruczko (2014 entry)

Talia Laghzaoui Bristol University Music

Lilian Lam Bath University Architecture

Monica Lam University College London Economics

Beverlyn Langat Manchester University International Management

Ivy Langat London School of Economics Economics and Economic History

Lamide Lanre University of the Arts London Advertising

Emily Larcombe Cambridge University Modern and Medieval Languages

Kam Wai (Julia) Law University of Hong Kong Accounting & Finance

Ophelia Lester Abingdon and Witney College Art Foundation

Tiffany Leung Chinese University of Hong Kong Law

Georgie Logan Cambridge University Natural Sciences

Eleanor Maitland Birmingham University Chemistry

Rie Marsden Central St Martins Art Foundation

Jenny Marston Leeds University History

Josephine Massara (2014 entry)

Joanna McGuire Exeter University History

Laura Milford Exeter University Modern Languages

Tamsin Morgan Birmingham University International Relations

Alice Moyle (2014 entry)

Ashley Orbell-Durrant King’s College London English Language and Literature

Shayo Oshodi (2014 entry)

Rosie Palmer Bristol University History of Art

Sze Sze (Priscilla) Pang Chinese University of Hong Kong Law

Carolina Panisello-Manterola Cornell University Animal Sciences

Alice Peet Exeter University Geography

Sze Wing (Viola) Poon University College London Architecture

Jessica Pope (2014 entry)

Kate Pulman (2014 entry)


THE HEADINGTONIAN 2014 | LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS

Jo McGuire and Sarah Boreham with Sally Wilkinson (Head of History)

Charlotte Atkinson and Helen Gammond with Sarah Patterson (Head of Upper Sixth)

Victoria Hinkins, Annabel Hogan and Helen Root


Belinda Quested York University English/History of Art

Jennifer Quested University College London Archaeology and Anthropology

Ella Quinton Nottingham University Architecture

Chloe Read Nottingham University Philosophy

Susannah Riley Bristol University Veterinary Science

Amelia Rogers Bristol University Politics and International Relations

Helen Root Imperial College, London Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Imogen Rostron Exeter University Zoology

Afi qah Salleh Queen's Belfast Human Biology

Abigail Saunders Harper Adams Countryside and Environmental Management

Tung Tung Shang London School of Economics Accounting & Finance

Annie Shipton Edinburgh University French

Aisha Simon Oxford University English Language and Literature

Kwan Lam (Karen) So Sheffi eld University Law

Shivani Somaiya Liverpool John Moores Applied Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Isabella Stargardter (2014 entry)

Antonella Stonehouse Leeds English and History of Art

Nga Yi (Vivian) Tang Birmingham University Law

Elisabeth Tate (2014 entry)

Molly Todd (2014 entry)

Natalia Traxel Queen Mary's London Biology

Susannah van den Broek (2014 entry)

Grace Verdon Swansea University Geography

Fei Yen Waller University College London Architecture

Lucy Walton Birmingham City Early Childhood Education Studies

Kara Watson Birmingham University Biological Sciences

Zoe Wilks Swansea University Criminology and Psychology

Antigone Willett (2014 entry)

Rachel Willliams Central St Martins Art Foundation

India Wishart Leeds University Geography

Tien Yun (Jasmine ) Wong Bristol University Geography

Kok Hei (Laetitia) Wong St Andrew's University Modern History

Nathalie Wong Imperial College, London Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Ruijia (Rachel) Wu Oxford University Mathematics

Cydney Yeates Liverpool University English and Communication Studies

Tsz-Ching (Rachel ) Yu Exeter University Flexible Combined Honours

Anissa Yung Glasgow University Veterinary Medicine

Yun (Nancy) Zou London School of Economics Business Mathematics and Statistics

H E A D I N G T O N R E F L E C T I O N SHow some alumnae summed up what Headington means to them.*

*SOURCE: ALUMNAE SURVEY 2014REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 309678

Quality and caring education.

The competitive spirit that gives you the edge in a

modern world.

Confidence to realisemy potential.

Gratitude to the school for the foundation for

life it gave me.

I had a wonderful time there, and an excellent

education.

A worldwide family.

Foundation for life.

A supportive school that helps young women

aspire to more.

I had some of the best days of my lifeat Headington.

It shaped who I am today.

The best well-rounded preparation for a full

and happy life.

I am very proud to be a Headingtonian.


Documents

The Headingtonian 2014